Area description continued:
Slotsholmen, a canal-encircled island that today is the seat of Denmark's government, was first settled by Bishop Absalom in 1167 when he constructed a small fortress within the harbor village. Here he hoped to prevent periodic raids by the German Wends to the east. This fortress evolved into the thriving though small seaport of Komandshavn (translated: Merchant's Port). This was eventually shortened to Kobenhavn.Copenhagen is Denmark's only major city with the parliament, government and monarchy all situated in the heart of the city where tourist, especially in the summer, seem to outnumber the locals. The city has a definite international personality and is home to headquarters to many of Europe's most progressive commercial and financial enterprises as well as a number of cultural and humanitarian organizations. Today Copenhagen is much more than the lovely storybook Baltic seaport of the early twentieth century. It is both a cozy, intimate and peaceful oasis, the home of Hans Christian Andersen and an exp